Diversity & Inclusion Grants

In fall 2009 the Office of the Provost created the Diversity and Inclusion Grant program with the goal of engaging faculty and staff in Washington University’s diversity initiative. The Diversity & Inclusion Grant program supported faculty and staff initiatives designed to build a more inclusive campus climate at Washington University. Particular emphasis was given to proposals designed to strengthen and promote diversity on campus by improving the university’s work environment, recruitment and retention of diverse faculty and staff, and cultural competence. During the five-year cycle, the program awarded almost $850,000 in grant funding to faculty and staff for 47 projects. Several of the grants have become permanent parts of the university’s diversity and inclusion efforts. See Diversity & Inclusion Grant recipients.

“By providing faculty and staff with the support they need to make their ideas a reality, the university is democratizing diversity as well as leveraging the talents of WashU’s exceptional employees to improve the university environment of inclusion.”

Selection Process

Each year, the provost appointed a new selection committee, drawn from the campus broadly, to review the Diversity and Inclusion Grant proposals. Over the five-year cycle faculty and staff submitted 90 innovative, ambitious proposals. These proposals themselves reflected the diversity of faculty and staff interests in making the WashU campus more inclusive and excellent. Funding for selected projects was one-time only. Awards ranged in size to a maximum of $30,000.